ABOUT GANGTOK:

• Literally meaning a ‘High Hill’ is a charming hill resort perched on a ridge at a height of 5,500 feet.
• The capital city of Sikkim.
• A cosmopolitan town which offers the tourist all possible amenities
• Magnificent views of the snow clad Kanchenjunga peak.

 

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport : Bagdogra Airport (IXB), 123Kms away from Gangtok, Sikkim
• Rail : New Jalpaiguri railway station in Siliguri
• Road : Well connected by road.

 

SIGHTSEEING AT A GLANCE:

MONASTRY	Dodrul Chorten (Stupa) Tsuklakhang (Palace Monastery)
OTHERS	Govt. Cottage Industries Institute  Research Institute of Tibetology Orchid Sanctuary Permanent Flower Show Hall  M G Marg
FAIRS & FESTIVALS	International Flower Festival Losoong Festival Bumchu Festival Maghey Sankranti Mela Sonam Lhochhar Festival

For more information visit  https://www.sikkimtourism.gov.in/

 

Govt. Cottage Industries Institute:

• Women weaving Colourful woollen carpets, shawls and blankets.
• Men carving beautiful, multi-hued wooden tables called as ‘Choktses’ can been seen here.
• Exquisite handloom and handicrafts items can also be purchased here.

Research Institute of Tibetology:

• World-renowned centre for Buddhist philosophy and religion.
• A rich collection of Tibetan Books, over 200 icons, tangkha tapestries.
• Many rare objects of Buddhist art.

Dodrul Chorten (Stupa):

• Built in 1945, by the Ven Trulshi Rinpoche to invoke the gods to keep peace and tranquility in the state.
• Beautiful structure rises like a great white bell surmounted by a golden pinnacle.
• Houses of holy books, relics, mantras and other objects of religious importance.

Orchid Sanctuary:

• Sanctuary houses over 250 species of exotic orchids.
• Blooming season of orchids is from April-May, July-August and December-January.

Tsuklakhang (Palace Monastery):

• Monastery built in traditional Sikkimese style.
• Most accessible monastery from Gangtok.
• It is known for numerous festivals and grand ceremonies.

Permanent Flower Show Hall:

• Located near the White Memorial Hall.
• Flower shows and exhibitions held here round the year and very popular.

M G Marg:

• Main Street of Gangtok town.
• Country's first litter and spit free zone.
• No vehicular traffic is allowed into the Marg.
• Shops on both sides of the road.
• Gangtok Food and Culture festival held in month of December.

 

 

AROUND GANGTOK (EAST SIKKIM):

Enchey Monastery:

• 3 kms from Gangtok city center.
• 200 year old monastery built by the Nyingmapa sect of the Buddhist monks.
• A conifer covered ridge festooned with prayer flags.
• Chaam or religious masked dance is held here during month of January.

 Ganesh Tok:

• 7 kms from Gangtok city center on Gangtok-Nathula Road.
• Small temple of Lord Ganesha set on a hillock.
• Affords a fine view of Gangtok and the peaks of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Siniolchu.

Hanuman Tok:

• 11 kms from Gangtok city center.
• Shrine of Lord Hanuman.
• Known for panoramic view of Gangtok and snow clad peak of Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Deer Park:                

• 6 kms from Gangtok city center.
• Home to the Himalaya spotted and musk deer.
• Scenic view of mountains and valleys can also be enjoyed from here.

Tashi View Point:

• 9 kms from Gangtok city center.
• Interesting picnic spot.
• Famous for the fine view of Kanchenjunga peak.

Orchidarium:

• 14 kms from Gangtok city center.
• Botanical Garden noted for rich variety of orchids.
• Rare tropical and temperate plants are an excellent recreation.

Rumtek Monastery:

• 24 kms from Gangtok city center.
• Seat of His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa of the Kargyu sect of Buddhism.
• Largest Monastery in Sikkim.
• Buddhist religious art objects found in the world.
• A world renowned centre for Kargyu teachings.

Tsomgo Lake:

• 38 kms from Gangtok city center and at an altitude of 12,400 feet.
• Lake is almost about 1 Km long, 15 meters deep.
• Oval-shaped holy lake is noted for its mystical environs and the wild flowers.
• Lake is considered sacred by the local people.
• Lake looks different at different seasons.
• Home of the Brahmini ducks and a stopover for many migratory birds.
• Colourfully decorated yaks for rides in lake side.

Baba Mandir:

• 50 kms from Gangtok city center and 12 kms from Tsomgo Lake.
• Sepoy Harbhajan Singh of the 23^rd Punjab Regiment went missing while leading a pack in 35 year back.
• A shrine be built in his memory and the name is Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir.
• Temple is believed to have wish-fulfilling powers.

Nathula Pass:

• 56 kms from Gangtok city center and 14,450 feet altitude, the road through the Tsomgo Lake.
• One of the highest motorable roads in the world and surrounded by alpine flora.
• Nathula Pass is basically India-Chain border.
• International border from where you can see Chinese Soldiers.

Aritar:

• 115 kms from Gangtok city center.
• A breathtaking view of Kanchenjunga and many natural riches.
• Lampokari Lake surrounded by lush greenery.
• Aritar Gumpa is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim.
• Adventurous, there is short trek, rock climbing and paragliding.

Banjhakri Water Falls & Park:

• 9 kms from Gangtok city center.
• Flora and natural beauty.
• One can marvel at the view of the falls.

Bakthang Water Falls:

• 10 kms from Gangtok city center.
• Water Falls view.
• Main water source of Gangtok area.

Nehru Botanical Garden:

• 25 kms from Gangtok city center, just ahead of the Rumtek Monastery.
• A mix tropical temperate plant and trees as well as a big greenhouse exotic orchid.
• There is a small playground with swings.

Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary:

• 25 kms from Gangtok city center.
• Various species of wild animals and birds.
• A large number of wild orchids, rhododendrons etc.

Gangtok Ropeway:

• Cable car ride is available Secretariat to Nam-Nang.
• Enjoy the panoramic view and thrilling rise.

Gonjang Monastery:

• 10 kms from Gangtok city center, near to Tashi View Point.
• Founder is H.E. Tingkye Gonjang Rimpoche.
• Monastery follows Jangter tradition of Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Himalayan Zoological Park:                

• 8 kms from Gangtok city center, just above Ganesh Tok.
• A number of animals living in their natural habitat.
• Might see the Red Panda, Sikkim’s sate animal, barking deer, Tibetan wolves, panthers, civet cats or Himalayan Black Bear.

Pal Zurmang Kagyud Monastery:

• 20 kms from Gangtok city center.
• Visiting for its religious and exquisite architecture.

Sa-Nagor Monastery:

• 5 kms from Gangtok city center on beautiful hill top.
• Only monastery of the sakya Order of Tibetans Buddhism in Sikkim.

Sikkim Science Center:

• Unique Humankind Gallery
• Fun Science Gallery
• Children’s Corner
• Taramandal
• Activities for students
• Science Park
• Various educational activities

 

AROUND GANGTOK (NORTH SIKKIM):

Mangan:

• 67 kms from Gangtok city center.
• Small town and headquarters of North District.
• A transit point to other destinations of the region.

Chungthang:

• Small town on the way to Yumthang.
• The confluence if the rivers Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu.
• From here one road leading to Lachen and another to Lachung.
• The alpine regions of Lachen, Lachung and Yumthang Valley.

Dzongu:

• 70 kms from Gangtok city center.
• Bordering the Kanchenjungha Biosphere Reserve.
• 5 kms ahead of Dzongu is the Sven Sisters waterfall.
• Seven Sisters waterfalls falling down from dense forests.

LACHUNG:

• A mountain village, 8,610 feet altitude.
• Embraced by snowcapped mountain peaks.
• Lachung is famous from apples, peaches and apricots.
• One Monastery is there that is Lachung Gompa.

Yumthang Valley:

• 148 kms from Gangtok and 11,800 feet altitude.
• Popularly known as valley of flowers.
• A paradise for nature lovers.
• Spring season, wild flowers such as primulas and Rhododendrons bathe the landscape in rich colours, making it a tourist hot spot.
• Further up at a distance of 16 kms Yumesamdong (Zero Point) and 16,000 feet altitude.

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary:

• Known for its abundance of Rhododendron shrubs and trees.
• Rich in ground flora and other vegetation as well.
• Here has 24 species of Rhododendron flowers which bloom from April to May end.

LACHEN:

• 8,500 feet altitude.
• Starting point of most interesting treks in North Sikkim.
• Gateway to the holy Gurudongmar and Tso Lhamu lakes.
• Simple village life of the ‘Lachenpas’.

Gurudongmar Lake:

• 190 kms from Gangtok and 17,800 feet altitude.
• Most sacred lakes by the Buddhists and Hindus.
• Lake used to remain frozen most of the year.

Thangu:

• 13,500 feet altitude.
• A small village on the way to Gurudongmar Lake and Cho Lhamu (source of River Teesta).

Singhik:

• Located around 4 kms away from Mangan.
• Most magnificent view of Mt. Kanchenjungha and Mt. Siniolchu.
• Surrounded by lush green hills and Teesta River flowing below it.

Phodong:

• 38 kms from Gangtok on the North Sikkim Highway.
• Phodong Monastery with old mural paintings and frescoes were preserved.
• Phensang Monastery was built by Lama Jigme Pawo in 1721.
• Labrang Monastery is famous for architectural style.
• Between Phodong and Labrang Monastery is Tumlong, third capital of Sikkim.

KABI:

• 20 kms from Gangtok, on way to North Sikkim.
• A sacred grove rich with medicinal plants.

Seven Sisters Waterfalls:

• 32 kms from Gangtok on the way to North Sikkim.
• Must see picturesque beauty of nature.

 

 

AROUND GANGTOK (WEST SIKKIM):

Soreng:

• 4 hours drive from Pelling and a picturesque village.
• Famous for variety of flowers and birds.
• A treakking route from Soreng to Dzongri.

Varsey:

• 10,000 feet altitude.
• Singalila National Park in south and Kanchenjungha Biosphere Reserve in north.
• Wide variety of bio-diversity.
• Main attractions of Rhododendron Sanctuary are the rhododendrons which bloom in April-May.

Dentam:

• 10 kms from Varsey.
• Surrounded by forest of rhododendrons.
• Ideal place for bird watchers and nature lovers.

Sombaria:

• 3,700 feet altitude and 112 kms from Gangtok.
• Close to Indo-Nepal border.
• Ideal place for Bird Watching.
• Major town on the trek route of Varsey.

Gyalshing:

• 10 kms from Pelling.
• Transit point to various tourist destinations of the region.
• Gyalshing Bazar is one of the oldest market if the region.

Legship:

• Gateway of West Sikkim.
• White water rafting and boating facilities at the Rangit Dam.
• Shiva Mandir is situated on the banks of beautiful Rangit River.

Tashiding:

• Small village on a hilltop near Pelling.
• Tashiding monastery is highly revered among the Sikkim peoples.
• Orange’s orchards and cardamoms plantations around Tashiding.

Uttarey:

• 6,600 feet altitude near to Pelling.
• On the way pass Singsor Bridge, second highest hanging bridge in Asia.
• Famous for natural beauty and beautiful view to the Himalayan Mountains.

Rinchenpong:

• 5,576 kms altitude.
• Famous for beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga range of mountains.
• Natural beauty of the surroundings.

YUKSAM:                 

• 33 kms from Pelling.
• Gateway of Kanchenjungha Biosphere.

Dubdi Monastery:

• 2 kms uphill from Yuksam.
• Surrounded by verdant forest.
• Visited only by trekking through steep slopes for about half an hours.
• Ideal place for meditation.

Kongri-Labdang:

• 25 kms from Pelling.
• One of the sacred lakes of the State.
• Hidden under the rich forest cover.
• Trekker's hut and Pilgrim hut is available.

Phamrong Waterfalls:

• Located between Yuksam and Gerethang.
• Highest waterfall of West Sikkim.
• Magnificent scenario especially during monsoons.

 Tashiding Monastery:

• Famous for most holy Chorten known as ‘Thong-WaRang-Dol’
• Sacred water festival unique to this monastery only.

Pelling:

• 125 kms from Gangtok.
• Second biggest tourist destination in the state after Gangtok.
• Offers Kanchenjungha views and access point of this range tourist spots.
• Perfect for nice nature.
• Every year held Kanchenjungha festival with cultural folk dance and music.

Khecheopalri Lake:

25 kms from Pelling.